How to Play YouTube in Car Audio System: Music & Video

How to Play YouTube in Car Audio System Featured Image

To play Youtube in car stereo is reasonably straightforward for music but tricker for videos. For music, all you need is the YouTube music app. But for videos, you’ll usually need to download third-party apps. 

How to Play Youtube in Car Stereo?

To play youtube through your car stereo will depend on whether you’re looking to just listen to music or want to watch full videos. 

As we’ve discussed, it’s far easier to play music from youtube in your car stereo than videos, so we’ve broken this article into these two options.

Disclaimer: It should go without saying, but it is advised that you do not watch YouTube videos while driving. Not only is it dangerous, but it could get you in legal trouble.

 

How to Play YouTube in Car Audio System: Music only

Playing music in your car via your car audio system is easy. It would be best if you had the following:

  • Internet connection (Unless using YouTube Premium)
  • A Smartphone
  • the YouTube Music app (Not the normal Youtube App)
  • A way to connect your phone via either: USB, AUX, Bluetooth, or wirelessly

 

To download the YouTube music app visit the Apple app store or Google Play store, depending on your smartphone device.

  1. Once you’ve got the YouTube music app, log in and follow the instructions until you get to the music player home screen.
  2. Connect your device to your car stereo via the usual method. This could be via AUX, USB, Bluetooth. If wireless Carplay / Andriod Auto, you’ll need to have YouTube Premium.
  3. Play the desired music and enjoy, although you may have to deal with the odd advertisement.

 

playing youtube in car - iphone lock screen
playing youtube in car – iphone lock screen

While we don’t recommend this if you’re concerned about data usage or advertisements, you could use a YouTube video downloader and listen to music that way rather than via the YouTube music app.

A top-rated iPhone app is Video Saver PRO+. Similar apps are available for Andriod.

Play YouTube Music in CarPlay or Andriod Auto

The YouTube music CarPlay app (and Andriod Auto)  is only available if you are a YouTube Premium subscriber. (At present, $11.99 per month).

So if you want to be able to play through this method, you’ll have to pay. There are serval other CarPlay music apps available if you decide not to. One similar App is Amazon music CarPlay

Other devices that are restricted to YouTube premium members include:

 

How to Play YouTube Through car Bluetooth Stereo

Playing YouTube through a car’s Bluetooth is much the same process as described above, except you’ll connect using the BlueTooth protocol on your phone and stereo. 

How to Play YouTube in Car Audio System: Video

It is more changing to play Youtube videos via your car stereo, and probably better watch on your mobile phone rather than the head unit.

Especially for iPhone users!

But if you want to do so, you will need the following:

  • Internet connection (Unless YouTube Premium)
  • Smartphone
  • YouTube App
  • Android Auto Car Stereo, or Andriod Head unit
  • Aux cable, USB, or Bluetooth
  • Android Auto app or Car Stream App

 

Android

You have to install Andriod Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD), allowing you to further install apps like CarStream, Fermata, Screen2Auto. These apps will let you mirror your device to the car’s infotainment system.

You can watch the process below:

IOS

For IOS users (aka iPhone users), it is more challenging, but there the 4 main options include:

  • Installing an Andriod Stereo / Head Unit
  • Using Weblink
  • Using a screen mirroring adapter (Aftermarket stereo).
  • Using a jailbroken iPhone

The process is slightly more complicated but is outlined in the video below:

If you have a factory head unit, it will be tough to do any of the suggestions.

There are options to jailbreak your iPhone, which will allow you to watch YouTube, but this is not advisable for most people due to the complexity and the that it could void your phone’s warranty.

Non-Head Unit Stereo

2009 Mazda 6 dash
2009 Mazda 6 dash

Using a basic car stereo with no screen will obviously not allow you to watch YouTube videos through it. However, if you connect using USB, AUX or Bluetooth, you should still be able to listen to the YouTube video.

If you do not have YouTube Premium or Youtube music app, your phone will need to be constantly connected to the internet and screen on (possibly adjusting the locking setting); otherwise, the sound will shut off when the phone locks.

Final Thoughts

If you have an Android or an iPhone and your car has a stereo of some kind, you can play YouTube audio over your car stereo.

It may be trickier to physically watch YouTube videos through your stereo, but it is often possible with the right technical know-how.

See our article on watching YouTube via Apple Carplay for more information on this, though.

Hopefully, now you can then enjoy YouTube videos while you travel. When stationary, of course. 

Alex
Alex
I loved my car but was frustrated with my media system. So I upgraded my stereo, making silly wires and precarious phone mounts a thing of the past. The Apple Car Play stereo was so good I wanted to show more people how this could be done and truly upgrade their cars multimedia system! Founder StereoUpgrade.com
Recent Posts